Authorities in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, have launched a major crackdown on industrial air pollution, sealing several non-compliant marble processing factories operating near the suburban neighborhood Sector B-17.
The enforcement drive, led by the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) in coordination with the Islamabad Capital Territory Administration, comes amid worsening smog conditions nationwide.
The action was taken under the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act 1997 after multiple units repeatedly ignored official warnings to curb dust and particulate emissions. Officials said the sealed factories were among the largest emitters of fine dust particles contributing to poor air quality around the federal capital.
Smog Crisis Worsens Across Pakistan
The crackdown follows weeks of hazardous air in Punjab’s major cities, including Lahore, Faisalabad, and Gujranwala, where smog levels have reached record highs, prompting school closures and health emergencies. Environmental experts say similar enforcement is urgently needed in Karachi, where industrial and vehicular emissions are worsening the city’s already poor air quality.
Pakistan routinely ranks among the top ten countries with the worst air quality, according to international monitoring agencies. The annual smog season, triggered by industrial emissions, crop-residue burning, and winter temperature inversions, poses severe health risks, including respiratory illnesses and cardiovascular diseases.
Marble Industry Targeted for Dust Emissions
According to the Ministry of Climate Change & Environmental Coordination, the marble-cutting and polishing sector has been identified as a major contributor to airborne particulate pollution. The sealed units had failed to install dust-control systems and continued to discharge harmful pollutants into the environment.
“The action was part of Pak-EPA’s ongoing campaign to curb smog and control dust emissions from marble and granite processing units, which were identified as significant contributors to deteriorating air quality in and around Islamabad,” said Muhammad Saleem Shaikh, the ministry’s spokesperson.
Officials Lead Enforcement Operation
The operation was led by Khalid Mehmood Chadhar, Director (EIA/Monitoring), and Muhammad Ramazan, Deputy Director (Legal/Enforcement), under the supervision of Director General Nazia Zeb Ali. Conducted in the presence of a magistrate, the inspection confirmed persistent non-compliance by several industrial operators despite repeated warnings.
DG Nazia Zeb Ali said the excessive dust and fine particulate matter generated during marble cutting were a key factor worsening air pollution and visibility in Islamabad. “The non-compliant units were sealed and Environmental Protection Orders (EPOs) issued for persistent violations,” she said.
‘Clean Air Is Non-Negotiable’
“Industrial units must adopt effective pollution-control technologies and comply with the National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) to protect public health and Islamabad’s environment,” DG Ali stated. She added that Pak-EPA will continue strict enforcement to promote cleaner air and sustainable industrial practices across the region.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to zero tolerance for industrial polluters, urging factories nationwide to adopt cleaner technologies, install dust-filtration systems, and switch to environmentally sustainable processes. Officials said such measures are central to the government’s broader anti-smog strategy, which aims to reduce emissions and improve public health across Pakistan.
Growing Environmental Pressure
Environmental advocates have welcomed the Islamabad crackdown but say long-term reform depends on integrating cleaner energy solutions and enforcing compliance across all provinces. Without nationwide coordination, experts warn, local enforcement may yield only temporary gains.
Pakistan’s environmental regulators, under rising public and judicial pressure, have pledged continued spot inspections and penalties for violators — signaling that the country’s struggle for cleaner air is far from over.
